Montsant and Prades mountains (1810)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B1
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Serra de Montsant i Muntanyes de Prades
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.3333, Longitude: 0.8333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 1201
Area of KBA (km2): 807.44064
Protected area coverage (%): 64.49
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of low coastal mountains with many cliffs. The site has extensive Pinus forests and large areas of scrub. Agricultural areas are mainly used for olive-groves, vineyards and orchards. The main human activities are hunting, forestry, and agriculture.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important area for resident raptors.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (30%) | hunting (75%) | not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 40 | |
| Shrubland | 30 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from abandonment of traditional land management, erection of powerlines, disturbance from recreational activities, particularly off-road driving, and illegal hunting and poisoning.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |